Thursday, May 31, 2012

want to know the secret to making your typical makeup tremendous? false lashes. i am a huge fan of false lashes. the finishing touch and secret of all makeup artists, Hollywood starlets, models and mascara ads.

you know those foam fingers you use to root for your favorite team? that pretty much sums up how i feel about false lashes.

when i received the notice that Winks by Georgie was debuting their faux lash line on nordstrom.com i jumped (literally) at the chance to review their products. you see, there is something to be said for a high quality faux lash, and investing in a pair (or two) is a worthwhile investment.

first, higher quality lashes come with higher quality packaging making them easier to store and maintain. lashes are designed to be worn more than once, but bend them, crimp them or smash them and they are goners. paper boxes can easily get damaged but Winks offers their lashes in an eco friendly, stylish compact that protects lashes. you can also purchase lashes or glue individually to refill your compact, allowing you to store you faux lashes indefinitely. throw them in your luggage, purse, or makeup bag and they will stay clean, protected and ready to use.

compact refill

second, higher quality lashes provide you with a more natural appearance. you don't want to look like you're wearing false lashes, you just want your lashes to look long, full and thick; as if you had the found the BEST mascara in the world. the Winks collection features classic lash styles made with the highest standards, and an adhesive that is the highest quality, safest lash adhesive on the market.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

oh the possibilities in beauty are endless...i'm sure most people don't associate ANY of the above words with facial hair but all three are services offered by salons or aestheticians for the purpose of beautification.

BLEACHING

this method is often used for the hair found on one's upper lip. i myself have a mini 'stache which only requires a few random hairs to be pulled every so often. however, if you are (unfortunately) lucky enough to have more than that, bleaching may be an option.

the nice things about bleaching are that it is quick, fast, cheap and virtually painless. the bad thing about bleaching is that you can still see the hair (it's just blonde) and if you have dark skin this may look even worse. another con is that this may lighten your skin a bit.

overall it is a good method that anyone can do. the products are found at your nearest Target/Walmart/CVS.

CURLING

this is a "permanent" procedure that can be done to eyelashes. it involves visiting a salon to have the procedure done. once done, the procedure can last 2-3 months, depending on how fast your eyelashes grow. your eyelashes are in a constant state of growth and will grow in straight which would necessitate the procedure to be redone.

as with all procedures done around the eyes, it is potentially dangerous.

TINTING

this is a great option for those who prefer the natural look. tinting is available for eyelashes as well as eyebrows. it is an easy alternative for those who hate having to apply makeup everyday, especially those with naturally blonde or red hair (often facial hair is much lighter with those pigments).

tinting is a quick procedure and can be found in at most salons and aestheticians offices. it involves using a semi-permanent color which will fade in approximately 6-8 weeks.

tinting is something that can also be done from home but ONLY for eyebrows. i would NOT recommend doing this on your own for eyelashes. most retailers sell eyebrow tinting kits which are easy to use and not too expensive.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

i love color on the eyes but it can be a little tricky knowing how much is too much. this simple eye makeup tutorial shows you how to easily wear color. thanks to my fellow Allure Beauty Blogger contestant Sara for the inspiration.

color entire eyelid with a nude shimmer shadow (for those of you who are a bit older, stick with matte shadow)

apply crease color with pencil brush for precise placement and maximum color payoff. pull color to outer corner of lid and connect with lower eyelid. [optional: line lower eyelid with same color]

use a soft brown to help diffuse crease color making the contrast not so stark.

Monday, May 28, 2012

interested in some great products for summer? then take a look at the Too Faced collection. known in the beauty industry as the brand that 'takes the mystery out of makeup' Too Faced provides you with products and palettes that include detailed instructions on how to apply. in fact, the Summer Eye shadow collection shown above has three different application guides included.

one of my absolute favorites of the Too Faced collection would be the Coconut Oil Body Bronzer. this shimmery bronzer looks great applied over your faux tan. it enhances, softens and illuminates your skin. plus, coconut smell is pretty rockin'. makes you feel like you are poolside, even if you're just driving carpool.

BB creams are the MUST-HAVE products for the summer. the 'tinted moisturizer on steroids' packs a mean punch when it comes to product payoff. in one little tube you get a moisturizer, a sheer foundation, a sunscreen and typically an illuminator. plus, each tube is 1.5 oz, which is a whole .5 oz more than your foundation (sounds trivial but a little goes a long way with this stuff). Beauty Balm by Too Faced should be at the top of your wish list.

last is the kabuki brush. made with "Teddy Bear Hair" this brush is not only cruelty free, it is perfect. specially designed to pick up just the right amount of pigment and distribute it flawlessly, the kabuki brush is your go-to for bronzers, blush, face powders and illuminators. i heart you kabuki.

Friday, May 25, 2012

here's DIY i created last winter, but now that spring is approaching i thought we could use a little refresher.

for this you will need:

a small container

lipstick of choice

Q-tips

Vaseline

begin with a small container

with your Q-tip﻿, remove lipstick and place in container. i used a lipstick that was nearly gone (a personal fave Viva Glam IV)

my lipstick was nearly gone, however there was still about a quarter inch left inside the tube. mix lipstick with a dollop of vaseline inside your small container and you have yourself a tinted lipgloss:

Thursday, May 24, 2012

by now you have probably heard of beauty's latest trend, the BB cream. BB stands for "Blemish Balm" or "Beauty Balm" depending on the brand. what is BB cream? basically tinted moisturizer on steroids.

BB creams pack a lot into their punch. a moisturizer, sunscreen, primer and foundation (very light coverage) all in one, making BB creams the 'IT' makeup for summer. they are the perfect solution for someone who wants a natural looking coverage while also protecting and improving their skin.

i was recently sent several different brands of BB creams to try and i wanted to share with you one of my favorites: 3LAB Perfect BB. this BB cream has an advanced anti-aging brightening complex, as well as a sunscreen. the foundation to it is sheer, but provides enough coverage to smooth out your complexion. included with the product is a sponge roller to ensure smooth flawless coverage. while i am not typically a fan of foundations with SPF, this did not leave me skin greasy and stayed on all day.

this is the perfect BB cream for those of you in your prime (that means 25 years old+) as it helps to protect and improve the skin. for all you spring chickens out there, i would suggest investing in a facial sunscreen and mixing it with your foundation to create your own BB cream.

here's a little before and after shot from applying the 3LAB Perfect BB. not bad, eh?

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

did you know Revitalash made makeup? neither did i. when they asked me to review some products i was more than happy to oblige considering i hadn't tried or heard reviews on them. Revitalash Lash Serum itself is a pretty reputable product (one of the best) so i shouldn't have been surprise to find that their makeup was just as impressive. seriously.

the Highlighting Pencil goes on smooth, gives just the right amount of shimmer and the color is good for all skin types. i've used it on myself, in addition to makeup clients and have been completely happy with the results. the Raven 12 hr Eyeliner is what really knocked my socks off. this bad boy is so creamy and easy to apply you would think it would wipe off just as easily. nope. i had my eye makeup holding strong from 8am until 11pm. now that is impressive.

Monday, May 21, 2012

i heart MAC. the question is, who doesn't? with richly pigmented colors, smooth formulations and trendy, hip packaging the products are practically perfect in every way (much like Mary Poppins).

this summer's line of Hey, Sailor! products are bronzed to perfection with colors that will leave you glowing. how lucky do i feel being able to preview this line and review it for you?! let's just say there were a few squeals, jumps and fist pumps involved.

the lipliner Shore Leave has just enough of the coral/babypink/bubblegum color to make your lips look kissably adorable. my favorite thing about summer is wearing this lip color and this trend can be seen on celebrities everywhere. don't believe me? just check out your weekly People mag filled to the brim with cute coral pink lips.

the lipglass and suntints are gorge. the full golden tones to the Blessed Rich lipglass will complement a bronzed face well and the Sea Mist suntint ensures your lips stay protected and glossed at the same time.

the powder blush and bronzing powder are among my favorites for the summer changes. the bronzing powder Refined Golden is not too orange (a common problem i find in bronzers) and has the slightest hint of a shimmer. the powder blush Launch Away! is a subtle soft blush for summer helping to enhance your natural color.

the Hey, Sailor! collection by MAC has more than enough products to keep you looking good in the summer months. buyer beware, enjoy them while you can! two years ago i purchased a lip liner from MAC summer collection "To The Beach". it was THE BEST lip liner color i have ever found. i only wish i would have purchased two or three of those liners because they were a limited edition and no longer available. (insert sad face here)

products will be released this weekend and i suggest you be the first in line to pick up your favorites, because believe me, they go fast.

xo,
kristie

ps. this week is the FINAL challenge for the Allure BBA http://blogger-awards.allure.com/ Please Please Please take a minute to Vote, Like & Tweet.

"Pure naturals + multi-layer moisture complex in Stratys 3TM infuse moisture at the top, core and deep down layers of surface skin, for healthy looking skin that’s soft but never greasy. This everyday lotion absorbs quickly and penetrates deeply, which both feels good on skin and does good for your skin."

that sounds nice, doesn't it? this lotion comes in three varieties guaranteeing a perfect match for any skin:

total moisture: this clean feeling formula moisturizes without the greasiness that other lotions can often leave behind. the secret is that it absorbs lightening fast into the skin so that your skin is moisturized and soft with no residue.

cocoa radiant: last but not least this is my favorite of the three. made with pure cocoa butter this leaves your skin soft, smooth and radiant. if you read my blog you know i love a good glow and this lotion fits the bill. not to mention, it smells delicious. warning: using this lotion may cause random strangers to sniff your arms.

giveaway #2: this week i have the opportunity to offer one lucky reader their own Vaseline cocoa radiant lotion.

when Yu-Be offered to send me their products i was definitely interested. having lived in Korea and traveled Asia i consider myself a bit of an Asian-addict. i love all things Eastern and have found that Eastern culture is typically on the cusp of all fashion and beauty trends. the Yu-Be products are no exception.

their Foaming Skin Polish and Moisturizing Skin Cream really lived up to the claim of saying "Sayonara" to dry skin. the Japanese bathing ritual (orfuro) has been an important and sacred custom for many centuries. baths provide both relaxation for the mind and improved health for the body by stimulating blood circulation. the foaming skin polish helps to scrub away dry skin (as well as stress) followed by the moisturizing skin cream and you have yourself a knockout combo.

Yu-Be is offering one reader a chance to win the Yu-Be Travel Set (shown above).

Friday, May 18, 2012

here's a beauty blog backtrack i wrote in 2010 (have i really been blogging that long?!). same rules still apply:

in my attempt to become more focused i decided to try and and schedule the themes of my post. this week i thought i would focus on some eyeshadow know-hows.

tip #1:

several people have asked, how does that look apply to a woman advancing in age?

we are all beautiful and wearing makeup shouldn't have to stop because of a little crepey skin. the trick to wearing eyeshadow in your older years is to avoid too much shimmer. a lot of shimmer only tends to enhance wrinkles and creases. if you are applying shimmer, try to do it at points that are naturally smooth, such as below your eyebrow or right at the inside point of your eye.

tip #2:

how to pick eyeshadow color? the dilemma of many.

choosing an eyeshadow color doesn't have to stress you out. if you want to wear a color, then go for it! however, for those who are gun shy with colors the best recommendations i can give are to choose colors that will make your eye color pop. for those with blue eyes, this means stick to browns and golds. if you have brown eyes, look for jewelled blues. at the same time, matching your eyeshadow to your eye color can also make them pop. for a no brainer, choose a taupe or lavender. these colors look great on ALL eyes.

tip #3

where to apply color?

first, avoid apply dark color above the brow bone, unless you are a runway model. otherwise, think about your color as a haze and start with the lightest color on the inside working your way to darkest on the outside of your lid. avoid putting any strong colors higher than your brow bone and you should be just fine.

tip #4

always use a primer.

the trick to making makeup stay for hours is to first prime the lid. there are countless products out there that can do the trick, you just have to decide how much money you want to invest. hit up the drug store or head to your nearest makeup counter.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

the other day i was daydreaming about being able to afford gel manicures. some day this blog is going to make me a gazillionaire, and when it does you better believe i'll be getting gel mani's on the regular. until that happens, i decided to find a way to DIY gel manicures.

it must have been kismet because i literally received an e-mail from Red Carpet Manicure offering to send me an at home Gel Polish Pro Kit in the midst of my Google searching. thank you RCM!

for the salon price of two gel polish mani's you can get your own kit and do your gel manicure from home. the manicure lasts two weeks, it is smudge free, chip free, and worry free! use it twice and it has paid for itself.

i can't even begin to tell you how much i love this kit. i've given myself two different manicures (i wanted to experiment) a pedicure, and a manicure from my SIL all within two weeks. without a doubt one of my favorite products to date.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

this month i decided to show you some products that are trending through my wardrobe, as well as my beauty regime.

my trip to Chicago provided me with major shopping opportunities and i enjoyed every second of it. some of my favorite purchases were my J Brand skinny jeans (white) and my Stuart Weitzman platform clogs. "rules" say no white before Memorial Day, but who cares?! wearing white with some deeper colors makes it an option for spring, fall & winter. of course it looks great in summer with some bright colored T's, but for now i am enjoying my leopard print as long as possible.

my beauty products are gearing me up for warm weather. anything to help me maintain a nice bronze tone without inflicting actual (UV) damage to my skin is a win. of course you know i love my St. Tropez, but i have also included my Becca Tint, MAC Fix and "Innocence, Beware" lipstick. all products give me a nice summer-y, natural (without actually being natural, let's be honest) appearance. [review on MAC Fix to come]

xo,
kristie

please don't forget to head over to Allure and give me a vote. it really means a lot to me.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

i'm drawn to color, much like 'beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano' (Dumb & Dumber anyone?) i can't help that when i see something bright or shiny i want to give it a shot. when i was offered some samples of the Mia Clip-n-Dipped Extensions i fist pumped and was eager to release my inner Jersey Shore.

i tease, but the truth of the matter is that colored clipped-in extensions are being seen on starlets everywhere. the replacement to the feather hair extension, the colored clipped-n-dipped extensions are the must-have for summertime hair accessorizing.

can be curled or straightened

not a bad accessory, right?

there are many different color options to choose from, or just go rainbow bright if you're feeling brave. each pack provides two 14-inch extensions which is the perfect amount for a hint of color.

and because i couldn't help but make fun of myself, i added a mustache and hat to finish off my look. (seriously, beauty blogging is one of the few outlets where it is acceptable(?) to take and post self portraits, over and over and over...)

xo,
kristie

just a friendly reminder: please click here to vote in the Allure Beauty Blogger Awards.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

today is Mother's Day, have you said thank you to the mother in your life? if you haven't, here is a chance to redeem yourself. enter to win Pureology's Purify Shampoo and Hydrate Hydra Whip to pamper, clarify and restore your (or your mother's) hair. just let your mom know you entered this giveaway, it's almost as good as a gift, right?

Pureology is the pioneer in ZeroSulfate shampoos. they have put together the most brilliant hair care set to help maintain that "fresh-from-the-salon vibrancy" in just two steps.

step 1: Purify Shampoo. this genie in a bottle contains natural ingredients to help remove impurities in your hair without stripping it of color. want a helpful tip? if you fall victim to "swimmers green" hair, apply shampoo to wet hair. instead of rinsing, place a shower cap over your hair and sit under a dryer for 20 minutes then rinse. (no dryer? just wrap a towel around your capped head and your natural body heat will warm hair)

step 2: Hydrate Hydra Whip helps hydrate and restore hair without being heavy. this soufflé of a conditioner leaves hair soft and touchable in addition moisturizing and replenishing hair.

Pureology shampoos help restore hair and their masques can rejuvenate your hair in 5 minutes. we all know time is a hot commodity and taking 5 minutes to create the salon glow is a worthwhile investment.

Friday, May 11, 2012

lipstick used to really scare me. in fact i had one color, Viva Glam V (amazing), that i wore every day and probably went through about 3 tubes in 3 years. that's quite a feat. the reason for this was because i felt i could wear this color with EVERYTHING and it was natural enough not to overwhelm my face. fast forward a few years and you've probably seen me in A LOT of shades. while there are no firm rules in makeup, here are some tips to follow if you need direction.

tip #1: find a color that matches the shade on the inside of your lip. this is a color that will clash with nothing and will naturally be a color that suits you.

tip #3 be brave and try RED. red can be worn by anyone, it is just a matter of choosing the right hue. pink-skinned women look best in cherry red. olive skin tones can wear fire-engine red. dark skin is best paired with deep reds.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

i'm a mom. translation: i store a lip balm in every drawer, cupboard, car, purse, diaper bag. with three kids and a dry climate, keeping chapped lips at bay is hard work!

i first tried eos (short for Evolution Of Smooth) a few years ago. i purchased their mint lip balm and loved the creamy texture, the smooth feeling and the soothing coolness it gave to my lips. plus the cool round applicator made it not too "girly" for my son to use, FTW.

when eos offered to send me some newer products to try like their shave cream and hand lotion, i was elated. i already knew the lip balm was a winner, now to test the other products.

the shave cream is soft, silky and allows you to shave wet or dry. considering half the time i remember to shave is when i am OUT of the shower, the dry option was a major plus for me. the scents were nice, but not too strong and the container doesn't leave rust stains in my shower. like all things, it is slippery when wet, but the pump applicator is easy to handle.

the hand lotion didn't wow me as a lotion. it worked and worked well, but nothing i haven't tried before. the biggest benefit of this product is that it comes in a convenient slim container, making it a great item for travel. this little package would easily fit in the smartphone pocket of your purse and the shell is hard enough that there wouldn't be any accidental spills from pressure.

if you haven't tried eos, i would suggest jumping on the evolution of smooth train. guaranteed to leave all passengers happy.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

by now you have probably seen the growing popularity of the "skrillex" haircut. named after the "dub step" king Skrillex, this half shaved hair-do is seen on many a pop queen. while the original skrillex "do" is a half shaved head i'm not willing to sacrifice my hair for a trend. instead i saw this alternative version on my girl Ev from Basketball Wives and thought it would make a good tutorial.

here's a glimpse of some recent glamour girls to jump on board the skrillex train:

to create your own "faux skrillex"

give yourself a stick straight side part.

section the area you want to braid and clip away hair you want to avoid

braid section and repeat three times

this definitely has an urban swagger to it but it is great for summer. step outside of the box and give something like this a try. you just might like it.

xo,
kristie

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